Harley Davidson bikes rally in Goa for 110th anniversary from all over India - Times of India

TNN Feb 1, 2013, 12.52AM IST CALANGUTE: One of the most exclusive clubs in the country, the Republican Riders, rode into Goa over the last two days, coming from all directions. Around 550 Harley Davidson bikes are now here to celebrate the 110th anniversary of the legendary US-made motorcycle on Friday. It was the first-ever 'National Hog Ride' in India with Harley Davidson owners riding in from Delhi, Kolkatta, Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai and other parts of the country. While the 110th anniversary party is on Friday evening at a five-star resort in Sinquerim, the bikers will then join the fun at the India Bike Week at Vagator over the weekend when all the riders will go for a rally. There was a welcome party for the bikers on Thursday evening. Harley Davidson bikes with their signature V-twin engines-known as 'hogs'-have been available in India for a few years now and are priced between Rs 8 lakh and Rs 35 lakh. A Harley Davidson dealership is expected to open in Goa soon. Around 700 Harleys have been sold in India, according to Anil Reddy, a member of the Republican Riders, as the exclusive club of Hog owners is known. Only Harley Davidson owners can join. Talking to TOI about the Harley mystique and the reason why he brought one, Reddy, who bought a Harley only recently, said it's a passion. "It's a passion to ride," he said. "It's more of a cult; it's more of a brotherhood." With the prices being what they are, owning a Harley bike is only for those with deep pockets as the annual maintenance charges are also astronomical by ordinary bike standards. Typically a bike costing around Rs 10 lakh will have accessories worth another Rs 5 lakh, Reddy said, and the owner will need to spend another Rs 5 lakh every year on spares and maintenance. You can even fit stereo speakers on the crash guards of a Harley in front for your listening pleasure while on the road. Most of the bikes that have arrived in Goa-the largest ever gathering of Harley Davidson owners in India-are around 1000cc. Harleys are considered cruiser bikes and not race bikes like other superbikes, Reddy said. There are a couple of women who have come from Bangalore including Shirley George, who owns a restaurant business and Sreeja Mathew, a HR professional. Many of the bike riders are entrepreneurs, restaurant owners, gold shop owners, into the construction business, and some IT professionals. The sound and the magnificent look of a Harley Davidson bike makes one watch in admiration and to find many on the streets of Goa brought cheers to the locals. Suraj Palekar, manager for Via.com, who is coordinating the stay of some of the bikers said, "When you see the bike, you feel like owning it. It is that amazing. I have been hanging out with these bikers to enjoy the experience." So go over to Vagator on the weekend to check out the Fat Boys, Fat Bobs, Forty-Eight, Roadkings, Coasters and all those other mean machines from the three Harley Davidson families. via Technology - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNGzmjluH3lGsn1vgwgFjIf4P4OTHg&url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Harley-Davidson-bikes-rally-in-Goa-for-110th-anniversary-from-all-over-India/articleshow/18280204.cms

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